Seven Up For Pilgrims

CANTERBURY PILGRIMS 43 DOVER 14

by John Mitchell

When these two teams met in Counties 2 last season Dover inflicted a double over the Pilgrims and the determination to not let that happen again underlined this impressive display. Pilgrims dominated from the start and an early break saw full back Jack Weaver cross the line wide out and that opening try was soon followed by a second from flanker Harvey Furneaux. Neither score was converted but as more pressure followed Presley Farrance dummied from a 5 metre scrum, went blind side and dived over for the first of his three tries and this time Tom McMann added the goal points. Pilgrims totally controlled the first half, in very wet and windy conditions, and had what would prove to be a winning 17-0 margin. Early in the second half the home side got their fourth touchdown, which earned them their seventh consecutive bonus point, as the lively Farrance darted through to make it 22-0. With the pack dominating there were significant contributions from Brandon Dunkerley, a hooker playing like a number seven, and powerful prop Will McColl. It was an excellent performance from a young man trying to make his way up the ladder while McColl was enjoying some great runs. From one of these he drove his frame through and over for a converted try. However, Dover would not give up and continued to make Canterbury work hard in the horrible conditions. But they could not prevent Furneaux getting his second try, McMann converting, before my man of the match, Presley, proved that Elvis in not dead and having got out of his sick bed to play, scored his third try. A 40 yard kick, chase and Olympic class sprint catching out the defence, saw him get to the ball first with a great dive and then slide into the cars parked behind the end zone. He came up unscathed and McMann converted to make it 43-0. That should have been it, but Dover would not lie down. A try was given, when the home side thought they had held the ball up! It was converted by former Canterbury man Martyn Beaumont. In the last play of the game, Dover kicked cross field for Harry Moore to score out wide and Beaumont again converted. The Pilgrims unbeaten seven match run sees them stay top of Counties 1 Kent; Dover drop to ninth. A great team performance. Next Saturday the Pilgrims travel to Charlton Park and there is room on the coach if anyone would like to come along and support.

Pilgrims: J.Weaver, G.Lister, B.Law, T.Halliday, A.Geddes T.McMann, P.Farrance, A.Malik, B.Dunkerley, W.McColl, J.De Vries, L.Webber, J.Dengate, H.Furneaux, A.Evans. Replacements: D.Gill, E.Lusher, H.Valldares